INTRODUCTION

This tutorial is designed to walk you through the process of running your analysis in IMPLAN. The procedure begins at the IMPACTS screen (Featured image) and ends at the RESULTS screen (see Fig 4.a).

Featured image: the IMPACTS screen

SOME BACKGROUND...

Below is a brief discussion about the process of running analyses in IMPLAN. To learn about the contents of the IMPACTS screen, see Exploring the IMPACTS Screen.

Who is this tutorial for?

This tutorial is for anybody who doesn’t know how to actually run analyses in IMPLAN. You've spent all this time learning how to select Regions, create Events, and create Groups... Now it's time to get some results! Follow THE STEPS herein to put IMPLAN to work calculating your study's impact results.

Why is this process important?

This process is important because without knowing how to initiate the mathematical calculations by IMPLAN itself, you won't be able to acquire the most valuable part of your whole study: the results! And without those, you won't be able to review, interpret, and ultimately share your hard-earned findings. So, in order to capitalize and really take full advantage of IMPLAN's expansive analytical capabilities, you'll need to know how to do this also.

Do I need anything before I can do this?

Yes. Before the software will even let you initiate the calculation of impact results, your study's setup will need to meet a few requirements. Primarily, you'll need to have sufficiently communicated both your study's Region by creating a Group, and providing details about your study's real-life impact by creating an Event. For instructions on creating Events and/or Groups in IMPLAN, see How to Create an Event and/or How to Create a Group.

Will I need to do this often?

That depends on the goal of your study. We tell our clients all the time that many studies which use IMPLAN don't actually perform any input-output calculations. Some analysts use IMPLAN simply to have access to valuable economic metrics on a target geography. Other times, analysts use IMPLAN simply to compare the regional economies of two different geographies. In instances like these, no input-output estimates are ever calculated. But, the majority of studies do actually aim to model the economic impacts of real-life events throughout regional economies, and thus, require exercising the full gamut of IMPLAN's mathematical powers. So, if the goal of your work is to acquire valuable I/O insights too, then you'll also need to do this each time you conduct a study.

THE STEPS

The procedure to run your analysis in IMPLAN begins at the IMPACTS screen (see Fig. 1) and ends at the RESULTS screen (see Fig. 4.a). The instructions below include links to other User's Guide tutorials and/or articles which may prove helpful in the event that you encounter any roadblocks during the course of your analysis. If challenges persist, visit the ADDITIONAL RESOURCES section for a more extensive selection of supplementary content.

1. Select an Event.

At the IMPACTS screen, click on an Event (see Fig. 1) to select it.

Fig. 1

Upon doing so, it will change color (see Fig. 1.a) to indicate that it's been selected.

Fig. 1.a

2. Drag and drop the Event into a Group.

After selecting an Event, drag it over to your study's Group and drop it into it (see Fig. 2).

4. Click VIEW RESULTS.

Upon arriving at the RESULTS screen, you'll have successfully run your analysis!

END OF PROCEDURE

WHAT NEXT?

IMPLAN is designed to allow for economic analyses to be launched or resumed from multiple points of entry. So, you can choose to start or continue your studies from whichever stage best fits your needs. Your process doesn't have to be linear! However, if you're brand new to IMPLAN and need some guidance, or would just prefer some professional advice, we're happy to offer our suggestion about what to do next.

WHAT WOULD IMPLAN DO?

If you're performing your very first impact analysis, then after running your analysis in IMPLAN, we suggest advancing to the RESULTS screen. The RESULTS screen is where the comprehensive and exhaustive results of your impact analysis can be accessed, browsed, reviewed, and downloaded.

Feel like viewing your results is the right "next step" for your study? Great! The resources below will help you a.) become comfortable maneuvering the RESULTS screen and b.) guide you through the process of downloading your impact results step-by-step!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Some analysts find that altering their process to conform to a traditional workflow isn't the best choice for their study. In these instances, carry out analyses in a nontraditional order better fits their needs. Thanks to IMPLAN's unrestricted versatility, it can accommodate even the most challenging procedural demands or preferences. Below are some additional resources which may prove helpful when formulating a personalized itinerary for your study.